Apparatus, system, and method for remotely monitoring and controling pool/spa equipment

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/244,687, filed Sep. 15, 2021, and is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application relates to monitoring and controlling pool and spa equipment and, in particular, to remotely monitoring and controlling the pool and spa equipment via a software application.

Pools and spas include a variety of equipment such as pumps, heaters, and filters. Often these pools and spas include equipment from a variety of vendors or manufacturers.

An apparatus, system, method and software are provided for remotely monitoring and controlling the equipment of a pool and/or spa. A software application (“app”) is provided, for example, a smartphone application that a user may install on a user device such as a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone. The user may create a user account and associate pool/spa equipment with a pool/spa system within the application. The pool/spa equipment may be configured to communicate over a network, such as Wi-Fi, Cellular and; or the internet, to send data pertaining to the operational state, energy usage, etc. for monitoring via the app. The user may also adjust operational settings of the pool/spa equipment by communicating control signals to the pool/spa equipment via the network. The app may be configured to communicate with pool/spa equipment of different brands or created by different manufacturers to receive data and communicate control signals. The app thus permits a user to control all of their network enabled pool equipment from a single app regardless of the brand of the pool/spa equipment.

With respect to, a homepage of an appis provided for monitoring and controlling pool/spa equipmentinstalled at a pool pad or pool/spa system. The appmay be downloaded from an app store and installed on a user devicesuch as a tablet computer or smartphone.

With respect to, a systemfor monitoring and controlling the pool/spa equipment is shown. The systemincludes the pool/spa equipment(which may include one or more devices at the pool/spa), the user device, a server computer, and a network. The user deviceis configured to communicate via the network. The networkmay be, as examples, a local area network (LAN), such as a Wi-Fi network or a wide area network (WAN) such as a Cellular network, so as to access another WAN such as the internet via same. The user deviceruns the appwhich may be associated with the server computer. The user deviceis configured to communicate with pool/spa equipmentvia the network. The pool/spa equipmentare also configured to communicate via the networkwith the server computerassociated with the app. The pool/spa equipmentmay include, as examples, a fluid pump, intake valve, return valve, heater (e.g., gas heater, heat pump, solar heater), bubble generator, jet generator, and/or lights. In some forms, the user deviceis configured to communicate with the pool/spa equipmentdirectly, for example, via. Bluetooth, Zigbee or the like. This may be done when initially connecting the pool/spa equipmentto the app, for example, to connect the pool/spa equipmentto the correct WiFi network.

With respect to, a user may create a user account and log in to their user account via a log-in pageof the app. The user may access their user account by entering a username or email address and a password associated with the user account. Once the user has created the user account, the user may acid and associate pool/spa equipmentof their pool/spa system with their user account. The user may also customize the appearance of the appfor their user account, for example, by uploading an image of their own pool and/or spa to be displayed as the imageon the homescreen of the app(see). As shown in, various types of pool/spa equipmentare shown that have been associated with a user account in the app. In one form, the user configures the pool/spa equipmentto be connected to the Wi-Fi network at the pool/spa (e.g., a user's home Wi-Fi network). With respect to, the user may connect their user deviceto that Wi-Fi network to search for pool/spa equipment on the Wi-Fi network and select to add or associate the pool/spa equipmentwith the user account in the app. The user may be required to enter the network name and an associated password to access the Wi-Fi network.

Once the user has associated a device of the pool/spa equipmentwith their user account within the app, the appand/or the associated server computercommunicates with the pool/spa device to identify information about the device. For example, the app/server computermay determine the type of device (e.g., pump, bubble generator, heater), manufacturer, application programming interface (API) for communication with each device, which parameters of each device may be controlled (e.g. turn device on/off, adjust a speed or temperature, dim lights, etc.), and what data each pool/spa equipment device collects. The server computeris thus able to communicate with various types of pool/spa equipment that are sold and/or manufactured by a variety of manufacturers, brands, and/or suppliers. This enables a user to control all of their network-enabled pool/spa equipment from a single application regardless of the brand manufacturer, vendor, supplier, etc. of the pool/spa equipmentand regardless of whether the user's pool/spa system is comprised of pool/spa equipmentfrom a variety of brand, manufacturer, vendor, supplier, etc. The pool/spa equipmentcommunicate data collected to the server computervia the network. For example, a pump may communicate its operation setting (e.g., on/off, speed), energy usage, health data. As another example, a heater may communicate its operation setting (e.g., on/off) temperature of the fluid (e.g., in the spa, pool), temperature setting (e.g., desired temperature), energy usage, etc.

The server computermay present the pool/spa equipmentand data associated with each device within the app. With reference again to, the app may display an indicationof the energy usage of the pool/spa system and an indicationof the fluid movement through the pool/spa system (e.g. through a pump or filter). The appmay also include a graphicof the current weather conditions, the high temperature for the day, and the low temperature for the day. With respect to, the user may view the pool/spa equipmentassociated with their user account in the app. The appalso includes a virtual toggle switchfor each pool/spa equipmentdevice that indicates whether the device is running. The user can select to turn each device on individually by selecting the toggle switch or swiping on the virtual toggle switchon the display of the user device. With respect to, the appalso includes a temperature indicatorindicating the temperature of a pool associated with the user account and a temperature indicatorindicating the current temperature of a spa associated with the user account. As explained in further detail below, the apppermits the user to adjust various parameters of the pool/spa equipmentincluding powering a device of the pool/spa equipmenton/off, adjusting network connectivity, adjusting the energy efficiency, changing between pool, spa or other modes, adjusting the temperature or the pool and/or spa, adjusting the fluid hardness (or total hardness), adjusting the chlorine or bromine level, adjusting the free chlorine or bromine level, adjusting the pH level, adjusting the fluid alkalinity (or total alkalinity), adjusting the fluid stabilizer level, adjusting the fluid salinity, adjusting the fluid acidity, adjusting the fluid pump speed,

The appmay further allow the user to monitor and control the pool and spa separately within the app. For example, with respect to, a screen of the appis shown that includes equipmentassociated with the spa and data collected by that equipment. As shown, the appdisplays the current temperatureof the spa, the set or desired temperatureof the spa, a display indicatorof whether the bubble generator is on, and a displayof whether the jets are on. The appmay also display an indicationof how long the jets are scheduled to remain on before automatically shutting off. The user may adjust the set point for the spa by selecting the set temperatureor by dragging the set point indicated on the graphic. The user may also turn the spa equipmenton or off by toggling the toggle switchassociated with the spa equipment. When the user turns a pool/spa equipment device on or off or adjusts a setting of the device, the appcommunicates the control signal to the server computervia the network. The server computermay communicate with the pool/spa equipmentto turn on/off the device or to implement the setting adjustment made by the user within the app. The appmay similarly include a display screen permitting a user to view all pool equipmentand data associated with the pool and enable the user to view the current pool settings and adjust the operation of the pool. For pool/spa equipment devices that can be variably controlled, the user may select the devicewithin the app and adjust the variable parameter. For example, the user may select a variable speed pump within the app and adjust the speed of the pump. For instance, the user may tap a + or − icon within the appto adjust the speed. In another form, the appmay present the user with a graphic enabling the user to slide a set point indicator up or down to adjust the current settings of that pool/spa device.

With respect to, the appfurther includes a display screen that indicates the current water chemistry as measured by a chemical control device of the pool/spa equipment. As shown, the appmay display a graphic or datashowing the pH level of the spa, a graphic or datashowing the pH level of the pool, a graphic or datashowing the salinity of the pool/spa, a graphic or datashowing the alkalinity of the pool/spa, a graphic or datashowing the calcium hardness of the pool/spa, a graphic or datashowing the cyanuric acid of the pool/spa. In some forms, the appmay further display other aspects of the chemistry of the pool including, as examples, the amount of free chlorine, total chlorine, and stabilizer. The user may set the desired chemical parameters for the pool using the app. The appcommunicates the desired chemical parameters to the chemical control device of the pool/spa equipment (e.g., via the networkand server computer). The chemical control device may then dispense chemicals as needed to maintain the chemistry of the pool/spa at the desired settings.

With respect to, the apppermits the user to select various modes of operation in the modes tab. Each mode may be associated with a plurality of parameter settings for the pool equipment, for example, a lighting setting, a temperature setting, a filtration setting, efficiency, etc. As shown, the user may select the pool mode buttonor the spa mode buttonto select the mode of the pool/spa system. The spa mode may include different settings than the pool mode, for example, in the spa mode the temperature of the spa may be increased compared to that in the pool mode. The systemmay be configured to exit the spa mode after period of time to reduce the energy consumption of the system. The appmay further include other modes selectable by the user that are associated with various settings of the pool/spa system. As shown, the appincludes a daily filtration mode button, a party mode button, an evening mode button, a children mode button, a 1-Touch spa mode button, and provides a buttonenabling the user to create their own custom mode. When the user selects a mode, the systemautomatically adjusts one or more parameters of the pool/spa to parameters associated with the selected spa setting. For example, when the user selects the party mode or the evening mode, the systemmay turn on a lighting setting for the lights of the pool/spa (e.g., turn the lights on, turn on lights of various colors, flashing or strobing patterns). When the user selects the daily filtration mode, the systemmay run the pool pump to filter the water. With respect to, the user may select to enter a freeze protection mode that the systementers when the temperature of the pool, spa, or equipment falls below a certain temperature (e.g., 32 degrees Fahrenheit).

The appmay include several efficiency modes of operation that the user may select. In an economy mode, the appmay set the parameters of the pool/spa equipment to a setting that consumes a lower or the least amount of power and/or reduce the cost of the energy consumed. The appmay have active modes that are less energy efficient, such as a mode to quickly heat the spa to a desired temperature even if doing so consumes more energy and/costs more. The active modes may run the pool/spa equipmentto carry out a function (e.g., heating the pool, filtering the pool, etc.) when the user desires to use the pool or selects an active mode in the app. In some forms, the systemmay default to or return to a lower energy efficient mode after a certain time period or when the systemdetermines the pool/spa system is no longer in user. For instance, if the user selected the spa mode in the appand has not adjusted any other parameters or selected another mode within a certain period of time (e.g., 4 hours), the appmay switch to a more energy efficient mode. In another example, the system may be configured to reset to the energy efficiency setting after a period of time (e.g., such as after the spa jets have shut off (e.g., 15 or 20 minutes), or such as after a predetermined amount of time has passed after the pool or spa features have been activated or after a predetermined amount of time after the pool or spa features have de-activated). It should be understood that features can include the jet generators, bubbler generators, blowers, etc., but may also include other items such as waterfalls, light displays, fountain displays, automated electronic devices such as raising or lowering televisions, etc.

The systemcollects energy consumption data for the pool/spa equipment. With respect to, the user may view the energy usage of their pool/spa equipment within the appunder the energy tab. As shown, the user can view the amount of energy consumed by the pool/spa equipment over a period of time (e.g., that day, the past 24 hours, the past week, the past month, annually, life-to-date, etc.) along with the cost of the energy consumed over any one of those same periods of time. As shown, the energy usage of the pool/spa equipment is shown for each month. This permits the user to track and monitor how much energy the pool/spa equipment is using and how much money the user is spending on their pool/spa system per month. The appmay further allow the user to view how much energy each device of the pool/spa equipment is using which may allow the user to see which devices are inefficient and may need to be replaced with new or more efficient equipment. The appmay allow the user to view the current or live energy usage of the pool/spa equipmentindividually or as a whole pool/spa system. The systemmay include an artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithm that monitors the data collected from the pool/spa equipment. The systemmay learn from the data and determine how the user may run their pool/spa equipmentmore efficiently. The systemmay provide the user with notifications, alerts, or suggestions in an email or through the app for how the user may improve the efficiency of their pool/spa system, In some forms, a person detector (e.g., camera, infra-red or other heat sensor, etc.) may be used to detect presence of users and keep the system equipment operating as selected, but then transition the system to a more eco friendly (e.g., efficient) operation when the presence of users is not detected or not detected over any period of time mentioned previously herein.

The appmay include a schedules tabthat enables a user to program the pool/spa to enter various modes according to a schedule. For example, the user may schedule the pool/spa to enter the evening mode setting starting at 8:01 PM and end at 5:56 AM every day of the week. The evening mode may shut off the lights of the pool during the night and may run a filtration cycle when energy is cheaper. The user may schedule their pool/spa system to enter the spa mode using the app for times when the user anticipates using the spa so that the temperature of the spa is increased at times desired by the user.

The appmay further include a settings tabas shown inwith various pages the user can select to monitor and/or adjust various settings of their pool/spa system. By selecting the Pool Configuration button, the user may view the current settings for the pool/spa system, see which pool/spa equipmentdevices are currently turned on, and make adjustments to the pool/spa system. The WiFi Configuration buttonmay open a page where the user is able to view the Wi-Fi network the user deviceis connected to, to see the Wi-Fi network the pool/spa equipmentare connected to and to adjust or change the WiFi network settings (e.g., login to the network).

The Devices Configuration buttonmay open a page shown inthat includes a list of all of the pool/spa equipmentdevices the user has added or associated with their user account. The user may access this page to add new devices to their user account for monitoring and control within the app. The Energy Rate/Unit buttonmay open a page as shown inshowing the current costs of energy such as electricity, natural gas, and propane. As shown, the page displays both the national average rates as well as the local rates so that the user may compare and analyze the cost of the energy required to operate their pool/spa system.

The Notification Settings buttonincludes a toggle switchthat the user can toggle on or off to indicate whether they desire to receive notifications about their pool/spa system. The user may select the Notifications Settings buttonto access a page within the application where the user is able to select what events the user would like to be notified of. The appmay be configured to notify the user when a pool/spa equipmentdevice fails or is failing. As another example, the app may notify the user when their pool filter needs to be replaced. As yet another example, the app may notify the user of the energy cost to the user for running the pool/spa equipment for the previous month.

The Freeze Protection Mode buttonmay open the page shown inwhere the user may select or adjusts settings for the pool/spa monitoring system when freezing temperatures are detected. By turning on the Freeze Protection Mode, the systemmay ensure that the pool/spa and/or pool equipmentdo not fall below temperatures at which damage is likely to occur. For example, the systemmay operate the pool filtration pump to circulate water. Circulating water through the pipes of the pool/spa equipmentmay inhibit the water in the pipes from freezing and potentially damaging the pool/spa equipment. As another example, the systemmay turn on a heater of the pool/spa equipmentto maintain the temperature of the water above freezing.

The Contact Us buttonmay open a page with contact information such as that shown in. The page may include support contact informationthat user may use to ask questions about their systemor when they have problems with their system. The user may click the support button to have their problem emailed to a customer support service. The support service may log the problem and provide the user with help and support. This page may also include the technician contact informationfor the user's pool technician or may include the contact information of a local pool technician to recommend to the user.

With respect to, the appmay include a user profileassociated with each user for a user account. For example, the appmay request the user create a user profile when they sign up for the app. The user profilemay include a picturethat the user may upload. The user profilemay also include information such as the user's name, their phone number, email address, street address, country, state, and city.

The appmay allow a user to associate more than one pool/spa system with their user account. For example, if a user has two home and each have a pool and/or spa, the user may create two pool/spa systems within the appand associate the pool/spa equipmentwith the appropriate pool/spa entry within the app. With respect to, the appdisplays a page with a pool listincluding an entryfor each pool/spa the user has associated with their account. The user may select a pool/spa entry to view the current settings and adjust or control the selected pool/spa system.

A pool technician may create a user account and associate their client's pool/spa systems with their user account. This enables the pool technician to remotely monitor their client's pool/spa systems and remotely make adjustments to maintain or improve the performance of the pool/spa system. The pool technician may use the Notifications Settings buttonto program the appto provide them with notifications or alerts when a problem is detected with one of their client's pool/spa systems. The appmay permit remote support staff or technicians to view the user's pool/spa equipmentassociated with their user account which may aid in troubleshooting issues with the user's equipment as the support is able to remotely view all aspects of the user's pool/spa system. The appmay permit the support staff or technician to remotely adjust one or more settings or parameters of the user's pool/spa system which may aid in more quickly resolving issues with the user's pool/spa system. The appmay permit the support staff or technician to send the user coupons for new equipment, for example, when the support staff determines a component of the user's system has failed. The appmay also monitor the health of the pool/spa equipmentand send the user coupons and recommendations for new equipment to purchase when a health problem is detected or when a pool/spa equipment device has reached a certain age where the device is likely to fail soon.

The appmay further include a wallet tab or page (see). The user may use the app to take a picture or upload a picture of each pool/spa equipmentdevice, the receipt for each pool/spa device, and the pool itself. The appmay store these images in this digital wallet for later access and use by the user. The user may use these images to provide a remote technician or support staff with an image of their pool/spa equipmentwhen needed, for example, if the technician or support staff is troubleshooting an issue with the user's equipment.

With respect to, the pool/spa equipmentmay include a power center including a controllerat the pool pad (e.g., commonly a cement pad where most if not all pool or spa operating equipment is located such as pumps, heaters, bubblers or bubble generators (e.g., aerators, etc.), filters, jet generators, cleaning controls, chlorinators, etc.). In some forms, the controlleris a circuit board that is installed within an existing power center of a pool/spa system. For example, a controller board of the power center may be replaced with the controller. The controlleris configured to communicate with and interface with the existing pool/spa equipment regardless of the manufacturer/supplier to enable the pool/spa equipment to be controlled and monitored remotely by a user via the app. The controllermay be configured to receive Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA). This enables the firmware of the controllerto be updated remotely without needing to send a technician to access and update the device when in the field, e.g., installed at the pool pad of a pool/spa system. This enables coding errors to be corrected remotely and to update the controllerafter installation to further improve the system, for example, to address other market needs that may arise. In a preferred form, the controllermay be sold as its own standalone device to be connected to a conventional power center, or it may be sold as a snap in or insertable PCB card that may be placed into a receptacle (e.g., PCB card slot) on conventional power centers, or it may be sold as part of an entire power center and include the additional items that would accompany a power center (e.g., pool equipment breakers, pool equipment display or control panel, timers, etc.).

With respect to, a homepageof the appis provided according to another embodiment for monitoring and controlling the pool/spa equipment. The homepageis similar in many respects to the homepage described with respect toabove such that the differences will be highlighted in the following discussion. The homepageprovides an indicationof the live temperature pool water temperature (e.g., 54° F.). The user may tap on the indicationto be brought to a page of the appto adjust the set point temperature of the spa/pool water, for example, to the page shown in.

The homepagefurther includes an iconindicating whether or not a heater of the pool/spa equipmentis active. In the example shown, the iconincludes a graphic of flames with a circle-backslash symbol overlayed on the flames to indicate the heater is off or not running. When the heater is running, the circle-backslash symbol may be removed from the icon. The user may tap on or select the iconto toggle the heater on or off. In some forms, selecting the iconopens a device status page (such as the page of) where the user is presented with the heater options of the pool/spa system. The user may use the toggle buttonto turn on a heat source, for example, the gas heater and/or heat pump. With respect to, in some forms, selecting the iconmay open a pool heater management windowenabling the user to manage the heater settings for the pool. The windowmay present the user with all of the heating equipment of the pool/spa system that the user may select from to heat the pool/spa. In the example shown, the user has a solar heater and a gas heater. The user may select the “off” optionto turn off the heaters of the pool/spa system. The user may select the solar heater optionto use the solar heater to heat the pool/spa system. The user may select the gas heater optionto use the gas heater to heat the pool/spa system. In the example shown, the window further includes a solar preferred optionand a turbo option. The user may select the solar preferred optionto primarily use the solar heater to heat the pool/spa system and to use the gas heater when needed, for example, when the solar heater is not available. The user may select the turbo optionto use both the solar heater and gas heater to heat the pool/spa system to heat the pool quickly.

The homepagefurther includes a mode buttonthat a user may select to view and/or adjust the mode of operation of the pool and/or spa. Selecting the mode buttonmay bring the user to a page displaying the various modes of operation of the pool, such as that shown in. The homepagefurther displays information on the mode buttonindicating the current mode of the pool and how long the pool will remain in this mode, for example, before changing to another mode. In the example shown, for example, the mode buttonindicates the pool is in the “daily filtration” mode which will continue to run for about 1 hour and 57 minutes. The mode buttonfurther includes a toggle switchthat may be used to turn off the current mode of the pool. For example, the user may tap the toggle switchor slide their finger along the toggle switchgraphic to turn the mode off or on.

With respect to, examples pages of the appare shown for adding pool/spa equipment to a pool system within the app.shows a pagefor configuring new devices to be added to the user's account or pool system within the app. The user may add and configure the devices of the pool/spa equipment when initially setting up their pool/spa system for control via the appand/or when the user replaces or adds a new device to their pool/spa system. In some forms, the appmay automatically detect pool equipment to be added within the app. For example, where the pool equipment is connected to the same network as other pool equipment that has been added in the app, the appmay retrieve information about the detected pool equipment (e.g., by communication with the pool equipment over the network) and present the pool equipment on the pagefor the user to select to add to the pool system within the app. The pagefurther includes an add buttonthat the user may select to add a device.

Upon selecting the add buttonof page, the appmay present an add device plurality of fields that the user may fill out to input the information about the device. The pagemay include a text boxwhere the user may enter a name for the device being added. The pagefurther includes drop down menusA,B,C where the user may enter in a device category, device type, and device function, respectively, for the device. The device category drop down menuA may present options such as heater, temperature sensor, pump, blower, and actuator that the user may select. The device type drop down menuB may present options based on the device category selected. For example, where the device category is a “pump” the device category may be variable speed or single speed. The device function drop down menuC may further present options based on the device category selected that the user may select from. Where the device category is a “pump” the device function may be, for example, pool filtration.

The pagealso presents a field for the user to select whether the device is for the pool only, the spa only, or both the pool/spa. For example, the pageincludes radio buttonsthat a user May user to input which of pool/spa the device is associated with. The pagefurther includes input fields for entering the connection type, the manufacturer name, the model of the device, the age of the device, and the power consumptionof the device. The input fields may be text boxes where the user may type information into each field or drop down menus presenting the user with options to select from. As shown in, information for adding a variable speed pump for both the pool/spa has been entered.

The pagemay further include an input field or button that the user may select to scan a code of the device being added. As shown in, the pagemay present a scan iconthat the user may select to open their camera of their user device (e.g., smartphone) to scan the code of the device. The code may be a bar code, QR code, or data matrix as examples. Upon selecting the scan icon, the appmay open the camera of the user device (see) and prompt the user to align the QR codeof the device within a framein a central portion of the screen. The appmay read the code and automatically enter fill in information about the device into one or more fields of the add device page. For example, scanning the code may cause the appto read a unique address of the device and fill in the unique address(e.g., MAC address) into the corresponding field of the pageas shown in. The unique address may be stored and associated with the added device. The app, controller, and/or server computermay communicate with the device and identify communications from the device based on the stored unique identifier.

Regarding, once the user has entered information into all of the required fields of the add device page, the user may select the add device buttonto submit the entered information and add the device. The appthen stores the entered information about the device and associates the device with a pool/spa system of the users within the app. In some forms, the add device pageprompts the user to take a photoof the device. The photomay be stored with the device information and may be presented along with alerts about the device to aid the user in physically identifying the device to which the alert applies. For example, the appmay alert the user that a pump is nearing the end of its life and will likely need to be replaced soon. By presenting or allowing the user to view the photo, the user is able to verify which physical component needs to be replaced so that the incorrect component is not inadvertently replaced.

The appmay also provide the user with a pool information pagewhere the user may enter information about their pool/spa system into the app. The pool information pageincludes a buttonthat the user may select to add receipts for pool equipment to the app. For example, upon purchasing a new component for the pool the user may take photo of the receipt for their records. The user may select the buttonand be prompted to upload an image of the receipt to be stored in the app. The user may then access the receipts at a later time to determine where the user bought the component from, on what date, and details about the component (e.g., model number, name, cost, etc.). In some forms, the appscans the receipt to determine the date the component was purchased and information about the component to provide the user with alerts about the component. For example, the appmay be configured to estimate a usable lifetime of the component based on the type of component and may estimate the lifetime based at least in part on the purchase date of the component. The appmay be configured to provide alerts about the component over the lifetime of the component such as when maintenance of the component should be completed and when the component is near the end of the lifetime and should be replaced.

The appmay also provide the user or installer with a questionnaire to complete when setting up their pool/spa system within the app. The appmay prompt the user or installer to answer a series of questions or promptsto input information about the pool/spa system. For example, the questions or prompts may include: “who is providing this installation?”; “enter pool owner information”; “add pool pictures”; “age of pool?”, “type of pool?”; “do you winterize your pool?”; “do you use a pool cleaner?”; “who services your pool?”; “approximately what do you spend to operate your pool?”; “what type of pool filter?”. The appmay use this information to provide alerts and notifications to the user based on the responses to the questions. For example, when the appdetermines that the user's pool filter needs to be replaced, the appmay notify the user to replace their pool filter and may provide information about where to get the pool filter from (e.g., the app may provide a link to an online store). As another example, if the user winterizes their pool, the appmay provide the user with reminders of when to winterize their pool before freezing temperatures arrive. The appmay monitor the forecast and may alert the user when freezing temperatures are in the forecast so that the user may take action before the freezing temperatures arrive.

With respect to, example screens are shown for creating a custom mode of operation for the pool/spa system. Regarding, the modes pageis shown listing various modes the user may select from to operate the pool/spa system. The mode pageincludes an “add custom mode” buttonthat the user may select from to create a custom mode. The appmay prompt the user to enter a name for the custom mode. Once the user selects the button, the appmay open a mode editing pageshown in. As shown in, the custom mode created is named “Owner's Custom Mode.” The user may select “Owner's Custom Mode” from the list of modes presented at the top of the pageto edit the settings associated with that mode. The user may then select which components of the pool/spa system will be operating when the Owner's Custom Mode is selected. The pageincludes a listof pool/spa equipment associated with the user's pool/spa system within the app. A toggle switchis provided next to each of the items in the listof pool/spa equipment that the user may use to set whether each piece of equipment will be running when the Owner's Custom Mode is selected.

In addition to the above apparatus and systems, it should be understood that numerous methods have also been disclosed herein. For example, methods for controlling pool/spa equipment have been disclosed, methods of efficiently controlling pool/spa equipment have been disclosed, methods of controlling cross-branded or multi-supplier pool/spa equipment have been disclosed, methods for customizing pool/spa equipment controlling software have been disclosed, methods for operating pool/spa equipment have been disclosed, etc.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pool or spa equipment system including: a pool/spa device; and a user device instantiating a user application, the user application configured to: receive input to add the pool/spa device to a pool and/or spa system of the user application; present a graphical interface prompting a user to enter information about the pool/spa device; receive connectivity information of the pool/spa device; and communicate with the pool/spa device based at least in part on the connectivity information.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pool or spa equipment system wherein to receive connectivity information of the pool/spa device includes scanning a code of the pool/spa device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pool or spa equipment system wherein the user application is further configured to receive an image of the pool/spa device and associate the image with the pool/spa device in the user application.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pool or spa equipment system wherein the user application is further configured to receive input of a device category and a manufacturer of the pool/spa device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pool or spa equipment system wherein the user application is further configured to receive an image of a receipt for the pool/spa device and associate the receipt with the with the pool/spa device in the user application.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pool or spa equipment system wherein to communicate with the pool/spa device includes causing adjustment of an operational parameter of the pool/spa device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pool or spa equipment system wherein to communicate with the pool/spa device includes communicating with the pool/spa device via a network.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of adding a pool/spa device to a pool and/or spa system of a user application, the method including: receiving input, at a user device, via the user application to add the pool/spa device to the pool and/or spa system of the user application; presenting a graphical interface prompting a user to enter information about the pool/spa device; receiving connectivity information of the pool/spa device; and communicating from the user device with the pool/spa device based at least in part on the connectivity information.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method wherein receiving connectivity information of the device includes scanning a code of the pool/spa device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method further including receiving an image of the pool/spa device and associating the image with the pool/spa device in the user application.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method further including receiving input of a device category and a manufacturer of the pool/spa device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method further including receiving an image of a receipt for the pool/spa device and associating the receipt with the with the pool/spa device in the user application.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method wherein communicating with the pool/spa device includes causing adjustment of an operational parameter of the pool/spa device.